This article is from page 6 of the 2013-12-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
MEMBERS of the public are urged to be vigilant after Gardaí were informed of an unauthorized charity collection on Shannon last week.
Gardaí issued the warning after two teenage girls were seen carrying out an unauthorized collection on behalf of Youthreach Shannon, collecting for the Irish Cancer Society.
Shannon Youthreach are collecting for Limerick Marine search and rescue this year.
Crime prevention officer Sgt Joe Downey said that while bogus charity collections are not very common in Clare there can be an increase in such activity in the lead up to Christmas.
“You can see a bit more of these things before Christmas when people are feeling a bit more generous and they are inclined to give money without checking credentials. In this case there was a bit of legitimacy to it in that they had an old card. But it was for the Shannon Youthreach collection for 2012 for the Irish Cancer Society – Shannon Youthreach’s collection this year was for Limerick Marine Search and Rescue,” added Sgt Downey.
“People should check the details of people they are giving money to see if they are genuine. Otherwise it’s just another form of begging,” he added.
Ennis councillor Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) previously expressed concern about unauthorized charity collections.
He told a meeting of Ennis Town Council that there are doubts about the veracity of some collections taking place on the streets of Ennis. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told the meeting that the practice needs to be tightly monitored.
Meanwhile, teenagers have been warned that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in the town.
The warning comes ahead of a noalcohol teen disco for 14 to 17 year olds in Ennis on Friday, December 20. Gardaí have issued advice aimed at encouraging responsible behaviour.
“Teens are to be dropped and collected by parents/guardians. Those transporting by buses are to ensure that none of their passengers have consumed alcohol. There will be a Garda presence on the evening. Any teenager found to be misbehaving will be dealt with and parents/guardians will be contacted.”